Chapter 9: Friends to the end.
Sorry for any random letters, I did control on my old iPad and the touch screen is dying. Say rest in peace to my old iPad and say bye bye to the amount of issues the dying of this iPad has caused me YAH WHOOO! enjoy the chapter.
A few weeks after chapter 8.
'Alright, you're all set.' Rafiki said, finishing wrapping up some leaves around Kion's injured leg.
'Looks good, thanks Rafiki.' Kion commented.
'No problem haha, should be nice and comfy for the night.' Rafiki responded.
'Speaking off bedtime.' Simba said, looking at Nala.
'Oh yeah, I saw Kiara with the other lionesses, I'll go get her.' Nala said.
Simba nodded, he then laid down in his usual spot, yawning loudly like lions like to do. Nala soon returned with Kiara by her side, everyone laying down to go to sleep. Everything went quiet, the world falling asleep as one. Everyone was sound asleep, suddenly Kiara woke up. She looked towards the exit of the den and saw it was completely dark, definitely not time yet to wake up. She then heard a sound, she looked at Kion, and realized why she had been woken up. Like clockwork she heard Nala stand up from her resting place and going to Kiara's younger brother. Simba yawned again showing eh was awake too, though he stayed in his spot, watching the situation from his resting place. Kiara too watched for a while, Nala licking and hugging her son trying to calm him down. After some time, things seemed to quiet down, so Kiara went back to sleep.
The next morning Kiara woke up, this time on a normal time. The sun was already sending beams of light into the den. Surprisingly, both mom and dad had already left. Kiara stretched her entire body and got up from her spot. She saw Kion was awake. 'Goodmorning.' She said.
'Morning.' Is all she got back, Kion certainly wasn't in the best of moods seen by his tired and upset face.
'Do you know where mom and dad went?' Kiara asked.
'Probably discussing things, away from my ears.' Kion responded, clearly quite grumpy. Kiara couldn't help but feel for him. Being stuck in on place doesn't sound fun, and having people be so worried about things out of their control wouldn't have helped her either.
'Oh okay, I'm gonna head out okay.' Kiara said.
'Have fun.' Kion said, still grumpy.
Kiara went outside, catching the scent of her parents, though it wasn't really needed. As soon as she got downstairs, she could hear talking coming from the lion guard lair, and the lion guard was out on patrol at this hour. She walked up to the entrance and stood next to it. Out of view of her parents but close enough for her to understand what they were saying.
'II don't know either Simba, I thought it was getting better, now it's nightmare number four in six days.' Nala said.
'Well clearly it isn't.' Simba said, Kiara could hear he was pacing again. 'Ugh that evil lioness! Just imagine that-.'
'NO!' Kiara ran in interrupting her father's words. Stepping in between her parents with an angry look on her face
'Kiara?' Simba said confusedly.
'All I hear you do is oh this, oh that, talk about how horrible this situation is. It is horrible I KNOW THAT. But can we please focus on what comes now. Kion needs us, all of us! This has happened whether we like it or not, all this talk helps no one! You're making him even more upset, and me too!' Kiara said, tears rolling down her face. 'Less words, more actions.' Kiara than ran out again, Simba wanted to follow her, but Nala stopped him. 'She can deal with this best. And she had a good point.' She told Simba.
'I just don't know what we could do.' Simba said.
'Maybe Rafiki knows what to do.' Nala responded, hugging her husband.
'Yeah, that sounds like the best option.' Simba confirmed.
Meanwhile in the pridelands
'There you are Fuli, thanks for coming.' Madoa said, she was waiting at the edge of the pride lands for guidance towards the nearest watering hole.
'Hey, sorry I'm late. More mudslides, guard is working overtime.' Fuli explained.
'Shouldn't you be helping them?' Madoa asked.
'Oh no it's fine. Besides, I really like doing these walks every morning.' Fuli responded. The young Hyena cubs ran around Madoa and Fuli, zooming back and forth.
'I enjoy it too, and it is a huge help. As you can see, the cubs have been doing great since. Really big thanks to everyone who made this possible.' Madoa said.
'No problem, are the adults finding enough water?' Fuli asked.
'Oh yes, they manage well.' Madoa said.
'Good, how about Jasiri?' Fuli asked.
Madoa sighed. 'She finds food and water, that's not a problem. But she hasn't got back to taking care of the clan. I'm basically leading at this point.' She said.
Fuli put her head down. 'Ah I feel for her. So, the conversations haven't helped?'
'No, she shuts it down.' Madoa responded.
'Let's hope that can be fixed soon.' Fuli said. 'Jasiri is too good of a hyena to be sitting there like that.'
'Agreed.' Madoa commented.
The group arrived at the watering hole, the hyena cubs going to town on the water inside.
'Panic and run, panic and run!' The lead zebra said, spotting the hyenas.
'HEY! No panic and running!' Fuli said, the zebra stopping in its place, the other zebras didn't even seem bothered and continued drinking.
'Aren't we supposed to panic and run from hyenas?' The lead zebra, clearly with a lot of brains, asked.
'Normally yes, but these hyenas are with us, they will not hurt you. But any hyena without any lion guard member around means you can run.' Fuli explained, before whispering to Madoa. 'But I'd prefer them just kicking the mean hyenas, would take care of them faster.' Madoa laughing in response.
Rafiki's tree
'Zazu, could you check if Rafiki is awake?' Simba asked the royal bird.
'Yes sire.' Zazu responded. But before he even entered the air he was interrupted by the great monkey himself.
'No need to send that bird into my personal space.' Rafiki responded. 'I already expected you two to come soon.'
'How so?' Simba said, confused as to how the monkey knew.
'I'd say a running upset cub wouldn't mean things were going smoothly.' Rafiki said, making his way down the tree.
'Zazu, would you excuse us.' Simba ordered his bird.
'Of course, sire.' Zazu said. 'I'll be continuing my morning report.' The bird quickly flew away.
'So, where should we start?' Rafiki asked.
'How is he doing, medically?' Simba asked.
'Well, I've seen good improvements over the last few weeks. He's communicating very well. Medically he's recovering very fast, as I'd expect from a strong cub like Kion. Medically only thing i see is that back left leg, that is going to take longer to heal. I don't know how it will behave when he starts trying to walk, we'll have to wait and see with that.' Rafiki explained. 'But you're not just here for a status report am I correct?'
'Certainly Rafiki.' Simba answered.
'Nights are very hard, a lot of nightmares again recently.' Nala said.
'So, you wish the nightmares to disappear?' Rafiki asked.
'It's hard to see him like this.' Nala said.
'You know, these scars will stick forever. Scars don't disappear, they fade, with time.' Rafiki said.
'So we just have to watch him suffer?' Simba commented, not really liking the response.
'That's not what I said.' Rafiki responded. 'Look, imagine being alone most of the day for weeks with nothing else to do but to lay down and think thoughts, that doesn't end up good, does it?'
'Absolutely not.' Nala answered.
'I'm not saying nightmares will go away, but what could help is to distract him.' Rafiki revealed.
'Distract him, how? He can't even exit the den.' Simba responded.
'You know him better than anyone, I'm sure an idea lies in plain sight, you'll just have to find it.' Rafiki said.
'I'll think about that, thank you Rafiki.' Simba said.
'Haiii there Simba.' The group heard from a distance. Simba looked down, Bunga had just ran up to him and held on to his leg like it was a tree.
'Bunga, what do you think you're doing?' Simba said, clearly annoyed by the actions of the honey badger.
'Asking if you were still coming with us on patrol today, or are you still busy with royal stuff?' Bunga responded enthusiastically.
Simba looked at Nala, who smiled at him. 'I think you should go.' She spoke, the smile on her face spoke to Simba, she knew something he didn't. 'Shouldn't we be, you know doing the other thing.' Simba responded. Nala smiled once more. 'I think some patrol time will give you some time to think.' She told Simba. Simba took one look at Bunga. 'I'm not so sure about that.' He wispered. But ultimately, he did as his wife said and followed Bunga to the rest of the Lion Guard.
'Hello lion guard, how are things going?' Simba asked the guard
'Mostly quiet.' Ono reported.
'Things are going as usual. Madoa and the cubs just left. We were preparing to do some mud cleanup, but I'd understand if you'd pass on that job.' Fuli added.
'Nonsense. I'm part of the reason it got so out of hand in the first place, least I can do is help clean up.' Simba responded.
'Okay your majesty, let's go.' Fuli said. The group started walking in the direction of the old aardvark holes.
'Did you know that it's actually never been so quiet? Like, there is so little chaos like not even a stampede! I could go for a run right about now; a stampede would be nice. Then we can stop the stampede and I can fart in Janja's face. Wouldn't that be so cool?' Bunga said as he walked around trying to make cool fighting poses with a stick.
'How do you put up with this daily?' Simba wispered to Fuli.
'When it's really annoying we pretend he doesn't exist or i get annoyed with him. But sometimes it's nice having someone talk all the time.' Fuli responded honestly.
'Never thought I'd hear you say that.' Ono responded, clearly annoyed as Bunga continued talking in the background.
'No, i mean, he is very annoying. Of course i'd love for him to shut up sometimes. But sometimes it keeps your mind off of other things you know.' Fuli explained.
'I find that conclusion very interesting.' Simba responded.
The group arrived at what now looked like a true mudpit, it was messy and didn't look like it was easy to clean.
'What a mess huh Simba, impressive.' Bunga said.
'Bunga, you can carry small rocks easily. We need to get a lot of the heavy things out before we clean the mud away.' Fuli said.
'How are we even going to clean the mud away?' Ono wondered.
'We start at step one.' Fuli said clearly.
'I'll keep an eye on the pride lands.' Ono said, before flying away.
'So many rocks, enough to build a cool shelter with.' Bunga said, carefully looking at every detail on a single small rock. 'How are there so many rocks?'
'It's a mudslide Bunga, that takes everything on Its path.' Simba said.
'Right, why isn't it called a mud and rockslide then?' Bunga asked. 'I really should've been the one to name everything. I'd be seen as so wise.'
'Still not over the fact you aren't Bunga the wise?' Fuli joked.
'I am wise.' Bunga said.
'You would be if you think before you act.' Beshte reminded the honey badger.
'And that is a rare occurrence.' Fuli joked.
'True, but would I be the bravest of them all if I would have a brain. I don't think so!' Bunga said, flexing his, what a honey badger could possibly have in terms of muscles.
'That is true to be honest little B.' Beshte told Bunga.
'Who even came up with the word bug, like i would give it a way cooler name.' Bunga said. 'Like, gub.'
'Seriously?' Fuli commented.
'Looks like most rocks are collected.' Simba noticed.
'Yeah, the remaining rocks are too small, that would take way too much work.' Fuli responded.
'So ehm, how are we going to clean this area out? There is no easy way like normal.' Bunga asked.
'We'll need some of the best animals that can work as a team.' Fuli thought out loud.
'What are you thinking of Fuli?' Beshte asked curiously.
'I have an idea.' Fuli said. 'Be right back.' She said before running off. Not long after she returned, dust kicking up behind her, hiding the surprise. Then frum the dust, rose the surprise; 5 strong elephants arriving at the scene.
'It may not be as quick and easy as it normally is, but this is still a good fast way to clear the mud.' Fuli said.
'Nice thinking Fuli.' Ono said, having just arrived back from his patrol. 'Elephant trunks are very strong, its trunk has more than 40.000 muscles. Common knowledge really.'
'Should have enough power to blast the mud wherever it could safely be put.' Beshte commented.
'Smart thinking.' Simba responded. 'I say we do it.'
'Okay, elephants. Get in position!' Bunga said excitedly. 'Trunks up... Get ready... WATER!' All the elephants collectively blowing tons of water, clearing away the mud and small rocks within seconds.
'That worked even better than i thought it would.' Simba said in surprise. 'Nice thinking Fuli.'
Fuli simply nodded. 'Alright, let's give this land some time to heal, thanks for the help guys.' Fuli thanked the elephants.
'That. Was. Awesome! We should have elephants around more Fuli. There is soooo much we can do!' Bunga said excitedly.
'How much longer until he quiet's down?' Simba asked Fuli in a whispering voice.
'It doesn't.' Fuli whispered back. 'At least it's very distracting. The days are long, the hyenas know we are weaker, his talking is a lot, but it keeps your days unique.'
'Unique.' Simba thought out loud, the wind moving suddenly like it wanted to say something. 'Yes, unique!' Simba said out loud, finally getting the point that Nala probably realize the second Bunga showed up. 'Fuli, is this a good time to ask for a favor?' Simba asked Fuli.
'When would the Lion Guard not listen to a favor from the king?' Fuli responded positively.
'Fair enough.' Simba responded.
An hour later
Kion looked at the glimpse he had of the outside world, just able to see the sky change color as the sun goes down. It's been a long, boring, and very quiet day. He now saw Simba sitting in his usual spot again, watching over pride rock, then suddenly, Kion heard movement outside. He listened for anything familiar, wanting to know what was coming his way. Suddenly he heard something, a small rock rolling past the entrance. A familiar ouch responding to the small collision. Kion couldn't quite put it, but he knew something was coming. Suddenly something small sped past the entrance, clearly to retrieve the stone, running back. Kion knew only one who met all of the requirements to make an entrance like that. 'Bunga?' Kion called out, wanting to know if his suspicions were right. Bunga heard his friend calling his name and couldn't stall his entrance any longer, running in to greet his friend. 'Kion!'
'I knew it was you.' Kion said excitedly, smiling as he saw the other members of the Lion Guard enter.
'You know what I did today, I put together an army of elephants, and they cleaned up a huge mess your dad made within seconds! Those trunks are no joke!' Bunga said excitedly, proceeding to tell the whole story in detail.
'Impressive.' Kion responded, laughing in happiness
'Shouldn't we tell him who actually did everything?' Ono whispered to Fuli.
Fuli smiled in response. 'Let him have his moment.' She said. 'Besides, I think he knows.'
Simba and Nala stood at the entrance, watching from a distance. Happy to see their son smile again.
'You did good.' Nala told Simba with a smile.
'Your pestering me for not knowing it earlier, correct?' Simba said jokingly.
'Oh, 100 percent yes.' Nala said, laughing softly.
Kiara could see from the distance something was happening at pride rock. She ran up and stopped, standing next to Simba and Nala, also simply watching the joyful situation. Kiara smiled herself, happy to see her younger brother happy.
'Kiara.' Simba said, wanting to grab Kiara's attention.
'Yes dad?' Kiara responded.
'Thank you for being honest with us. You were fully correct. This probably wouldn't be happening without you.' Simba apologized.
Kiara simply smiled in response, everyone continuing to look and listen to Bunga's story.
'This is gonna be a daily occurrence now, isn't it?' Kiara asked, realizing how much and loudly Bunga was talking.
'Most likely.' Simba simply responded, clearly also realizing the reality of the coming period.
'Worth it.' Kiara added. Continuing to smile as everyone started laughing at a joke Bunga made.
'Since when does Bunga actually make good jokes?' Nala asked curiously.
'I think he just unlocked that.' Kiara joked, Simba and Nala laughing in response.
'More than worth it.' Nala said, happily leaning against Simba.